It has been a tough start to the season for the 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. After 11 races, the F1 legend finds himself P6 in the championship with no wins or pole positions this season. He and the Mercedes have not been performing on the same level as Red Bull and Ferrari.
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But he has found some of his old magic back and is on a 3 race streak of finishing on the podium. Yet former F1 driver Gerhard Berger believes it would be difficult for Hamilton to keep his competitive streak high.
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“It could be really difficult because now, with the new regulations, Mercedes have first to catch up with the others. Not thinking about having an advantage, as they had very often in the last years. So now it could be a long way [away],” said Berger.
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The Austrian also gave a harsh reality check to the British driver, who had been struggling in the first half of the season.
Former F1 driver gives a harsh assessment of Lewis Hamilton and his 2021 season
The former Ferrari driver believes that the 2022 regulations will test Hamilton and it would be difficult for him. But he also revealed that wanting to win a championship is not as easy as it seems.
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Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 12, 2022 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton on the grid before the race REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/Pool
“But in Formula 1, saying ‘I need to win the championship’, it doesn’t work. I think this is something where, for him, it is probably a difficult situation. Then having the car as he has now, you can see [that] when the car starts to work a bit better, he can go to the podium and he finds his performance again,” said Berger on the F1 Nation Podcast.
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It is hard to disagree with Berger on the assessment of Hamilton and his championship chances this season. The 7 times world champion is 99 points behind in the championship to Verstappen. And it looks hard that he might challenge him given the competitiveness of the W13 in the season.
But this season could be a building block for him to learn as much as possible about the new regulations. Hopefully, he can continue to build on his newfound form and get back amongst the winner’s circle once again.
